The formation of ‘Led Zeppelin’ represents a crucial milestone in the history of rock music. Formed in 1968, this British rock band pioneered a unique blend of blues, hard rock and folk music which consequently lead to its incredible success. Comprising of the legendary singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham ‘Led Zeppelin’ created some of the greatest classic rock tracks of all time, selling in excess of 300 million records worldwide.
Formation of Led Zeppelin
The official formation of the band started in the summer of 1968, when Page and Plant reunited in the Lake District of England and began writing music together. Plant was impressed with Page’s material and the two decided to form a band. Subsequently, Page recruited the bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. John Paul Jones, although a musician by profession was self-taught and a member of several small jazz and R&B bands. He accepted the offer of joining Led Zeppelin and found a perfect fit with the musical style of Page and Plant. Similarly, Bonham, who was an experienced session musician, found depth and character when he began performing with the band. With the four members in place, the group took the name Led Zeppelin.
Early Years of Led Zeppelin
After a successful twelve-date tour in Scandinavia, Led Zeppelin’s self-titled début album was released in the US in January 1969. It soon became an enormous success reaching the number 10 position in the American album chart. The album also received critical acclaim for its innovative fusion of various musical genres. This lead to a demand for more concerts and the group continued into a successful five-month tour of the US, where they interacted with iconic figures like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. Led Zeppelin grew in popularity from that point on, performing live performances around the US and Europe in front of huge crowds.
Style of Music
Led Zeppelin drew its inspiration from various styles of music, setting a benchmark for hard rock and heavy metal in the process. Their albums contained a vast array of styles from blues to folk to classical. Most of their tracks featured heavy guitar riffs which were highly influential on the metal genre, with some tracks such as ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Kashmir’ becoming absolute classics. They often wrote about themes like fantasy, love, mythology, and mysticism which added an extra layer of intrigue and interest. The band also included complex improvisations in some of its live performances, adding a unique flair to their show. Led Zeppelin is widely credited with the development of the hard-rock and heavy-metal genres and for pioneering the idea of the modern concert.
International Fame
Led Zeppelin’s great success was further strengthened in the 1970’s when their iconic fourth album was released, which included the track ‘Stairway to Heaven’ which became an instant classic. This was propelled by their relentless touring which extended well into the mid 1970’s. By the end of the decade the band had achieved international status. Led Zeppelin albums sold more than 300 million copies worldwide making it one of the best selling artists in history.
Legacy of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s influence on music and culture is undeniable. Their influence can be seen throughout almost every genre and style of music. From rock anthems to punk and heavy metal, Led Zeppelin’s influence can be felt and heard throughout the music world. The band’s influence on fashion and culture is equally prominent. They have been credited with helping to popularize the long-haired and rebellious look which has endured to this day. Their social lyrics and the long improvisations on the stage inspired generations of musicians. Led Zeppelin still stands tall as one of the most innovative and influential rock bands of all time.
Reunion of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin reunited for a performance at the 02 Arena London in 2007. Over 20 million people applied for tickets but only 18,000 were available due to their limited size. Despite not opening the concert to the general public, Led Zeppelin created history as it was one of the most anticipated reunion gigs of all time. Even though their performance was criticized for not reaching its full potential, the show still had its moments of brilliance with Jimmy Page delivering a magnificent solo.
Final Years
Unfortunately, following drummer John Bonham’s death in 1980 the band split up. The remaining members announced the band’s retirement in 1980 and focused on their respective solo projects. After reuniting for the 02 Arena gig, the band also performed at the 2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert, the opening of the ‘O2 Arena’ in London and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012. In 2018, the band announced their latest reunion which is being compared to the 1969 tour and their influence in modern music.
Genres Developed by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s influence has been felt across almost all music genres from rock, blues, folk, metal, punk, jazz to classical. The sound of many of their songs combined hard rock riffs, folk melodies, and blues scales. Jimmy Page’s riff-based song arrangements and studio experiments provided a vital foundation for the hard rock and heavy metal genres. Led Zeppelin’s influence became especially prominent in the 1980’s when metal bands began to take inspiration from their music and create their own signature styles.
Influence of Led Zeppelin in the Music Industry
Led Zeppelin’s unprecedented success, combined with the band’s popularity, brought worldwide attention to the rock band genre. The band provided a path for countless other bands to follow, inspiring many others to become the successful icons of rock music they are today. Led Zeppelin established itself as the face of the rock ‘n’ roll scene of the time and many of their songs have become timeless masterpieces. They created a style of music that resonates with fans and musicians alike, and it is certain that their influence will continue to resonate for generations to come.
Cultural Impact of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin broke the traditional rules of musical composition and production, and redefined what rock and roll should be. Their music was seen as revolutionary and transcended all cultures, becoming a globally acclaimed symbol of hope and influence. Their lyrics, performance, and music videos were seen as an instrument of freedom. The band created an immense following of people, connecting generations of people who were looking for an alternative lifestyle. To many, Led Zeppelin became an Icon of peace, love, and rebellion in a period of war, poverty, and oppressive regimes.
Accolades and Awards
Led Zeppelin dominated the music scene during the 1970’s and won countless awards during the period. The band has won eleven ‘Grammys’, two Ivor Novello Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, two Kerrang! Awards, and six ‘BRIT Awards’ in various categories. They also received five ‘Lifetime Achievement Awards’, and four ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ Awards. They were awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the ‘2007 Grammy Awards’ and were inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ as one of its first honoring members.
